Iguanas are large, cold-blooded reptiles that make excellent pets, but also require a very special environment to grow. When young, iguanas can easily fit in a store-bought aquarium, but iguanas will outgrow them in less than a year. Pre-built cages for full-sized iguanas are often expensive, so use the following steps to build an iguana cage at home.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Designing the Cage
Step 1. Investigate the iguana's lifestyle
The environment an animal needs to grow as a pet depends on several factors, including:
- Adult size. Most people buy baby iguanas when they are only a few centimeters in size, but an adult iguana can reach 9 kg and 152-213 cm from the tip of the tail to the nose. Iguanas live up to 20 years and reach their full size in about 2-3 years. It is important to build an iguana habitat to accommodate this size.
- The type of habitat owned in the wild. Since animals' natural habitats are ideal for their temperament, habits, and adaptive traits, the environment you build should mimic the natural habitat to the best possible extent. Wild green iguanas are commonly found in rainforests throughout Mexico and South and Central America.
- Iguana habits. In the wild, iguanas live in trees and rarely come down to the ground. Iguanas are great jumpers and enjoy swimming. Iguanas are diurnal, meaning they sleep at night and are active during the day, and because they are cold-blooded, iguanas tend to bathe in the sun in the morning to raise their body temperature. Knowing these iguana traits can help you set up an optimal environment.
Step 2. Plan where the cage will be located
Since iguanas can grow up to 183 cm from head to tail, the cage must be large enough for adult iguanas to have room to move and explore.
- In general, this means that the cage should be about 183 cm high, 92-183 cm wide and 305-366 cm long. The height of the cage is crucial because iguanas live in trees and the cage must have a perch or branch for the iguana to climb.
- Most iguana owners use the entirety of one wall for the iguana enclosure. Cages usually have to be too tall and heavy to fit on top of the furniture.
Step 3. Consider the type of cage that is right for you
As long as the cage is large enough and kept at the right temperature, an iguana cage can be made from a variety of materials including plastic wire, Plexiglas (acrylic), or even a redesigned porcelain cabinet.
- One thing to keep in mind is its accessibility. You need to easily get food and water into the cage, and need to be able to clean and disinfect the entire habitat (floors, walls, branches, food bowls, etc.) about once a week. Make sure the cage you design is accessible for this purpose.
- Think about whether or not the coop can be seen by your guests. This can help you decide how beautiful or simple the cage should be, and whether you should take the time to design a cage that blends in with your home decor.
Part 2 of 3: Creating Blueprints and Purchasing Supplies
Step 1. Create a blueprint for the layout of the cage
With graph paper, draw the front, sides, top, and bottom of the cage using a scale. Rectangular designs are easiest to make, but more experienced builders can create any design as long as they are tall and wide enough.
- Be sure to include a place to place the door, some branches or perches, a light source at the top on one side (the light should keep one side warm and the other side less warm, so the animal has a place to cool off), and a water source at the bottom of the cage.
- Consider making one side or wall removable for easy cleaning, as the entire cage needs to be disinfected weekly. Some people build human-sized doors in their cages so they can easily get into them to clean the cage or spend time with their pets.
Step 2. Select the material
Because iguanas spend most of their time on branches, their frames and walls can be constructed from a variety of materials.
- The frame can be constructed of PVC pipe or wood. Use 2x4 hardwoods such as pine or spruce, but avoid aromatic woods such as cedar or redwood, which contain oils that can be harmful to iguanas.
- Most people build cage walls out of Plexiglas, plastic netting (not wire, unless it's covered in plastic, as it can hurt the iguana's feet), or sturdy glass so they can see the iguana, but this isn't really necessary. You can use plain wood if you want.
- PVC pipe and plastic netting (or plastic-covered wire netting) are good cage designs, which can be taken outside on warm days. However, Plexiglas or glass will overheat on the inside due to the greenhouse effect. Therefore, design a Plexiglas or glass enclosure for indoor storage.
- Consider building a cage on wheels to make moving it easier.
Step 3. Buy necessities
You will need pieces of wood or PVC pipe for the frame, plastic or Plexiglas netting for the walls, artificial perches or laminated branches, construction equipment and heating lights and water sources for the finished cage.
- Purchase enough pieces of wood or PVC pipe to build a cage to the size of the blueprint, but at least 183 cm high, 92-183 cm wide, and 305-366 cm long. If you are using PVC tubing, consider purchasing a special joint such as a "3 way link" which is a joint that connects the corners of the structure.
- Purchase enough plastic or plastic-coated wire mesh, Plexiglas, or sturdy glass for floors, walls, and ceilings, along with PVC glue or cement to attach them to the frame. If using a net, you can also attach the net to the frame using a zip tie.
- Buy or build a perch. These are available at pet stores and the internet, or they can be simple tree branches stripped and layered. Just make sure the perch is made of a safe wood like fir or fir.
- Prepare a saw or hacksaw, to cut the PVC pipe frame or wood to length. You can also ask if a hardware or home supply store can cut it for you, as long as you know the exact size you need. You'll also need cutting pliers or tweezers to cut the web if you're using it, and wood stain (if you prefer), and a water-based polyurethane sealant if you're using wood.
- Purchase a heating lamp, available at most pet stores. Adult iguanas need a hot area with at least 49 degrees Celsius which includes both UVA and UVB rays. You can use a special heating lamp that meets these specifications from a pet store or make your own lamp holder using a fluorescent tube. One simple and reliable option is to use two ZooMed 5.0 light bulbs, available online, mounted in a good quality fluorescent lamp holder, which can be purchased at any hardware store.
Part 3 of 3: Constructing the Cage
Step 1. Create the iguana cage frame
This is the first step, and then you will add walls, floors, and ceilings to the finished frame. Building this in the room where the cage will be placed is a good idea; otherwise the large cage might not fit through the door.
- Cut the wood or PVC pipe to the desired dimensions and attach the frame to each side of the cage with glue and joints.
- After each side of the cage has been constructed, nail or glue the sides together to make a cube.
- Include a door mechanism on the frame for easy access into the cage. This can be a removable cover, a door that is hinged on one side, or both.
Step 2. Use a water-based polyurethane wood sealant if the frame is made of wood
This will prevent weathering. If you intend to color or paint the frame, be sure to coat after painting.
The sealant will make the wood easier to clean and protect the iguana from strong odors
Step 3. Secure the net using a stapler to the sides of the cage, or, instead, attach it firmly and tightly using a zip tie
Make sure not to leave a hole larger than 1.27 cm in the wall.
- If using Plexiglas or sturdy glass, attach it to the frame using glue instead of a stapler.
- Cut and additional dowels to be placed above the corners of the frame when using netting as a side material.
Step 4. Install a heating lamp inside the iguana's cage
The lights should be up and pointing to one side, so that the iguana has a warmer and cooler area in the cage.
- The heat source should be no more than 20 cm above where the iguana spends its time basking (usually at the top of the cage), as iguanas have sensors on their foreheads that regulate how often the iguana needs to bask.
- Attach the heating lamp to the top of the cage using a zip tie, making sure the cord runs out of the cage. If the fluorescent bulb is exposed, make sure you cover it with a wire bulb protector to prevent the iguana from touching the bulb and burning its skin.
- You should also install several reliable thermometers at various locations in the cage to ensure that the cage is kept at the right temperature, which is crucial for your iguana's health. The temperature under the sun lamp should be 32-35 degrees Celsius and the rest of the cage no lower than 27 degrees Celsius.
Step 5. Place the water source in the cage
In the wild, iguanas are great swimmers, and do keep them hydrated by soaking in water.
You can use a large bowl or other container filled with water. Iguanas need a water source that is not only for drinking but also large enough to enter
Step 6. Install slopes, shelving, perches, or branches, or add a small tree in the enclosure
You can attach these items using a zip tie or additional glue.
- Iguanas love to climb and bask in the heat. Iguanas need exercise and the ability to get close to heating lamps to digest their food.
- Be creative, but make sure the cage remains accessible for the iguana. The branches and lining inside the cage should ensure that the iguana can move to different temperature zones by moving closer to or away from heat sources. For safety, the branches should be as wide as the iguana.
Step 7. Apply the finishing touches to the cage
Before introducing an iguana into its new habitat, make sure everything is properly installed for the arrival of the iguana.
- Place newspaper on the bottom of the cage for easy cleaning.
- Make sure there is fresh water in the bowl and plenty of food. Iguanas are rigid herbivores and enjoy a diet consisting of mostly vegetables (especially leafy greens), some fruit, and the occasional snack of rice, pasta, or whole-grain bread. Use flat plates for food (plastic, ceramic, or glass will work fine) and change them daily.
Tips
- If considering adopting an iguana, check out the reptile rescue program in your area. Many people who buy baby iguanas realize they can't accommodate iguanas as adults and ignore them.
- Add wheels to the base of the cage to make moving it easier.
- If you can't accommodate an adult iguana's habitat, don't adopt it.
- While it may be tempting to start keeping your baby iguanas in a large cage, it's generally best to keep baby iguanas in a 75-litre tank until they reach a length of about 46 cm. The smaller size makes the iguana feel more secure in its new home and helps ensure the iguana can find food and water sources.
Warning
- If you build the cage outdoors and bring it inside, make sure the cage fits through the door.
- Do not overheat the iguana's cage. Consult a herpetologist regarding the temperature and size of the heating lamp.
- Do not use hot stones. Iguanas do not like to feel the heat from the bottom and can grill it without the iguana knowing. Iguanas measure heat from above.
- Do not just put any plants in the cage. Some plants are toxic to iguanas. Learn in advance the plants that are safe to place in the cage.
